Make a plan for Sunday, September 13: Cardinals at Chargers, matchup keys and a football afternoon at Famous Sam’s on River.
Your Sunday plans have a kickoff
The group chat has had months to make predictions. This Sunday, it finally gets a scoreboard. Arizona fans have a season-opening road game to argue about, a fresh reason to wear the jersey and an afternoon worth planning before somebody asks who has the remote.
The Arizona Cardinals visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Kickoff is 1:25 PM Tucson time at SoFi Stadium, with CBS listed as the broadcaster. Both teams’ official schedules agree on those details. Make this the centerpiece of your Sunday football plans, then bring your own prediction to the table.
Watch the opening drives, not just the first highlight
Our first question is whether Arizona can establish a comfortable rhythm away from home. A successful opening possession does more than put points on the board: it can give an offense useful answers about protection, spacing and the defensive looks it will see again. Watch for manageable second downs and clean communication before judging the entire afternoon on one deep throw.
The Chargers have the home setting and the chance to make Arizona react. For the Cardinals, avoiding early penalties and wasted possessions would keep that advantage from growing. These are matchup keys to watch, rather than claims about a result that has already happened.
Third down and the red zone tell the story
Third-and-short allows an offense to keep several options alive. Third-and-long invites the defense to attack. Count how often Arizona stays out of the second situation. A few modest gains can be more valuable than a single spectacular play followed by an immediate punt.
Near the goal line, the question gets simpler: touchdowns or field goals? In a close opener, two promising drives that end with three points instead of seven can become the whole conversation afterward. Watch whether either team can finish a possession without needing a perfect play.
The small plays can decide a close finish
Turnovers, return decisions and coverage mistakes can change field position before the next offense takes a snap. Arizona’s best path is a composed game that makes Los Angeles earn its opportunities. The Chargers’ opportunity is to force the visitors into chasing points and taking bigger risks.
Our editorial prediction: Chargers 24, Cardinals 20. The lean goes to Los Angeles at home, with Arizona staying close if it protects the ball and finishes drives. This is our football opinion, not a betting line or a guarantee. Cardinals fans: tell us what flips that score in Arizona’s favor.
Bring Sunday football to River Road
For a Tucson football afternoon, put Famous Sam’s on River in the group chat. Bring the jersey, the friend who explains every replay and an appetite for bone-in wings, a Philly cheesesteak or Sam’s Club. Start with the current menu and build the order around your crew.
Find us at 1970 W. River Road, Tucson. Call (520) 292-0492 to confirm the game on your preferred screen and ask about seating before heading over. Check the official restaurant site for the current menu and specials.
The invitation is simple: make a Sunday plan, bring someone who loves football and give yourself a place to enjoy every quarter. We’ll leave the armchair coaching to your table.